SAVANNAH, Ga. – More public recreation fatalities occur in July than any other month, so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) asks the recreating public to play it safe while on, in, or near the water this holiday weekend. Drowning is a leading cause of death this time of year. There have been seven water-related deaths this year at Hartwell, Richard B. Russell, and J. Strom Thurmond lakes. Of those deaths, USACE public recreation fatality statistics show the following trends: